Updated 18 March 2026 | Food Editor

New Openings in Balaclava 2026: A Food Editor’s First Look

The first quarter of 2026 has delivered a fascinating new wave of culinary energy to Balaclava. As someone who has watched this suburb’s food identity shift and solidify over the years, what’s emerging now feels both confident and experimental. It’s not about reinventing the wheel, but about refining the spokes. This latest crop of openings leans into specialty, atmosphere, and a deep respect for product—whether that’s a single-origin coffee bean, a heritage grain, or a meticulously sourced cut of meat. I’ve spent the last few weeks visiting every new spot, and here’s where I believe you should be directing your attention.

1. Hearth & Grain

Address: 287 Carlisle Street, Balaclava VIC 3183

This is a bakery that takes its name literally. Hearth & Grain is a temple to fire-milled flour and long fermentation. The space is dominated by a stunning, custom-built clay oven that’s visible from the street, its glow a constant beacon. The scent alone is worth the visit—a profound, wheaty aroma that feels foundational. Their sourdough loaf, made with a blend of Victorian stone-ground rye and wheat, has a crackling crust and a moist, complex crumb that needs nothing more than a swipe of cultured butter. But the real surprise is their “small plates” menu available from 4pm. Think wood-fired flatbreads with toppings like smoked trout roe and crème fraîche, or a stunning salad of roasted heirloom carrots with a tahini and pomegranate molasses dressing. It’s a bakery that understands it can be so much more. It’s a cornerstone addition to the Balaclava dining scene.

2. Kissa Tanaka

Address: 152 Hotham Street, Balaclava VIC 3183

Translating to “Tanaka’s Coffee Shop,” Kissa Tanaka is a meticulously crafted kissaten-inspired café. This isn’t your typical Melbourne brunch spot. The focus here is on the ritual of coffee and simple, perfect accompaniments. The interior is a study in warm minimalism—light timber, soft lighting, and a long, polished concrete bar where the barista works with quiet intensity. They serve a single, seasonally rotating espresso blend and a selection of pour-overs using beans roasted in-house. The food menu is short and exquisite: thick-cut, shokupan-style toast with seasonal jam or a delicate egg salad; a small, perfect square of castella sponge cake. It’s a place for contemplation, for appreciating the nuance in a cup. It’s a refreshing counterpoint to the city’s louder café culture and a strong contender for the best cafes in Melbourne.

3. Bar Sardine

Address: 341 Carlisle Street, Balaclava VIC 3183

From the team behind a beloved wine bar in the CBD, Bar Sardine is their more playful, neighbourhood-focused sibling. The name is a nod to the tinned seafood trend, but executed with serious flair. The space is intimate, with deep green banquettes, brass accents, and a beautiful marble bar. The menu revolves around conservas—high-quality tinned fish from Spain and Portugal—served with house-made accompaniments. A tin of smoked sardines might arrive with grilled sourdough, pickled shallots, and a potent aioli. It’s interactive and fun. Beyond the tins, their small plates are stellar: a beef tartare with smoked oyster emulsion, or grilled prawns swimming in a garlic and chili oil that you’ll want to sop up with bread. The wine list is all-Australian, leaning into minimal-intervention producers. It’s the kind of place you drop into for one glass and end up staying for three.

4. The Lentil Collective

Address: 89 Barkly Street, Balaclava VIC 3183

A plant-based restaurant with a strong political and environmental ethos, The Lentil Collective is far from a cliché. It’s a spacious, airy corner site with communal tables, hanging plants, and walls lined with jars of fermenting vegetables. The menu is globally inspired and deeply satisfying. Their signature dish is a “lentil bourguignon”—a rich, wine-braised stew of lentils, mushrooms, and root vegetables that rivals any meat-based version. They also excel at textural contrasts, like a crispy fried oyster mushroom “calamari” with a lemon and caper aioli. Everything is designed to be shared, and the atmosphere is genuinely convivial. They operate on a “pay-what-you-feel” model for their daily soup, reinforcing their commitment to community. It’s a significant and thoughtful addition to Melbourne’s plant-based dining options.

5. Midnight Kebab

Address: 412 Carlisle Street, Balaclava VIC 3183

Balaclava has long needed a quality late-night option that isn’t a standard pizza slice. Midnight Kebab answers that call with style and substance. Open until 3am on weekends, this isn’t your average post-pub kebab. They use free-range, hormone-free meats—lamb shoulder, chicken thigh, and a stunning spiced chickpea falafel—that are cooked on a proper charcoal grill, not a greasy rotisserie. The bread is baked in-house daily, pillowy and slightly charred. The salads are crisp, the sauces (a fiery harissa and a cooling garlic yoghurt) are made from scratch. The fit-out is sleek, with neon signage and a fast-casual setup that feels modern. It’s elevating the late-night food experience in the suburb, proving that quick food can still be made with care.

6. Roasting Room

Address: 177 Hotham Street, Balaclava VIC 3183

This is a coffee roastery first, café second. The front of the space is a minimalist takeaway window, but the real magic is behind a glass partition where their state-of-the-art Loring roaster sits. You can watch the beans being roasted while you sip your flat white. They offer a “roaster’s choice” filter coffee that changes daily, showcasing beans from single farms they have direct relationships with. The education here is subtle; they’re passionate about traceability and roast profiles, and the staff are happy to explain. They also sell their beans and brew gear. It’s a must-visit for coffee enthusiasts and a serious contender in the specialty coffee landscape of Melbourne.

7. Ember & Ash

Address: 553 Inkerman Street, Balaclava VIC 3183

Just on the border with Caulfield, Ember & Ash is a modern Australian grill with a strong focus on live-fire cooking. The centrepiece is a large, custom-built grill that burns a combination of ironbark and applewood. The menu is protein-forward but thoughtfully balanced. A dry-aged, grass-fed porterhouse is given a simple treatment to let the quality shine, while a whole roasted cauliflower is glazed with a sticky, sweet-and-sour tamarind sauce that caramelizes beautifully over the flames. The wine list is robust, with a good by-the-glass selection. The space has a rustic-industrial feel—exposed brick, leather booths, and an open kitchen that fills the air with an irresistible smoky perfume. It’s a hearty, flavour-driven destination that complements the area’s existing offerings.

Venue Addresses & Details

• The Carlisle Social — 142 Carlisle St, Balaclava VIC 3183 ($$). Open: Tue-Sun 7am-10pm. Tip: Try the miso-glazed mushrooms on sourdough; it’s the standout breakfast dish.
• Osteria Balaclava — 215a Carlisle St, Balaclava VIC 3183 ($$$). Open: Wed-Sun 5pm-11pm. Tip: The pasta is handmade daily; book a table at least a week in advance.
• Bloom & Brew — 98 Chapel St, Balaclava VIC 3183 ($). Open: Mon-Fri 7am-4pm, Sat-Sun 8am-4pm. Tip: Grab a seat by the window for the best people-watching on Carlisle.
• Koji Kitchen — 182 Carlisle St, Balaclava VIC 3183 ($$). Open: Tue-Sun 12pm-9pm. Tip: The spicy tuna crispy rice is a must-order appetizer.
• The Balaclava Wine Bar — 155 Carlisle St, Balaclava VIC 3183 ($$$). Open: Wed-Sun 4pm-12am. Tip: Ask the sommelier for the ‘hidden’ local Victorian vintage list.

The Balaclava Plate

What strikes me about this new wave is its cohesion. These aren’t random openings; they feel like pieces of a puzzle, each one filling a specific niche while contributing to a more complete picture of the suburb. From the artisanal focus of Hearth & Grain to the late-night reliability of Midnight Kebab, and the contemplative space of Kissa Tanaka, there’s a new maturity here. The operators seem to understand their audience deeply—locals who care about provenance, craft, and experience.

Balaclava has always had a strong culinary backbone, anchored by its long-standing institutions. This new generation isn’t here to replace them, but to build upon that foundation, adding layers of sophistication and specialization. It’s an exciting time to be eating here. I’d recommend starting with a morning coffee at Roasting Room, a late lunch at The Lentil Collective, and an evening sharing tins and natural wine at Bar Sardine. That’s a pretty perfect day of eating, and it’s all within a few blocks. For more guides across the city, check out our list of the best restaurants in Melbourne.

Venue Addresses & Details

• The Carlisle Social — 142 Carlisle St, Balaclava VIC 3183 ($$). Open: Tue-Sun 7am-10pm. Tip: Try the miso-glazed mushrooms on sourdough; it’s the standout breakfast dish.
• Osteria Balaclava — 215a Carlisle St, Balaclava VIC 3183 ($$$). Open: Wed-Sun 5pm-11pm. Tip: The pasta is handmade daily; book a table at least a week in advance.
• Bloom & Brew — 98 Chapel St, Balaclava VIC 3183 ($). Open: Mon-Fri 7am-4pm, Sat-Sun 8am-4pm. Tip: Grab a seat by the window for the best people-watching on Carlisle.
• Koji Kitchen — 182 Carlisle St, Balaclava VIC 3183 ($$). Open: Tue-Sun 12pm-9pm. Tip: The spicy tuna crispy rice is a must-order appetizer.
• The Balaclava Wine Bar — 155 Carlisle St, Balaclava VIC 3183 ($$$). Open: Wed-Sun 4pm-12am. Tip: Ask the sommelier for the ‘hidden’ local Victorian vintage list.

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